A Systematic Method for On-The-Fly Denormalization of Relational Databases

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel on-the-fly denormalization method for relational databases that enables end-users to access denormalized data dynamically without altering the original database or needing administrator intervention.

Contribution

It presents a flexible, runtime layer-based approach for automated denormalization that works on existing normalized databases without requiring structural changes.

Findings

Enables dynamic access to denormalized data

Operates without source data access or administrator intervention

Applies to existing normalized databases

Abstract

Normalized relational databases are a common method for storing data, but pulling out usable denormalized data for consumption generally requires either direct access to the source data or creation of an appropriate view or table by a database administrator. End-users are thus limited in their ability to explore and use data that is stored in this manner. Presented here is a method for performing automated denormalization of relational databases at run-time, without requiring access to source data or ongoing intervention by a database administrator. Furthermore, this method does not require a restructure of the database itself and so it can be flexibly applied as a layer on top of already existing databases.